"We're just trying to address those off-premise beer and
wine stores that are solely surrounded by residential neighborhoods that have
been, more or less, spot zoned," Ephriam said.

The proposal would not affect convenience stores or other
businesses that already have a liquor license to sell beer and wine, but it
would prohibit the transfer of liquor licenses if an existing store's ownership
changes hands.

Ephriam said the issue is more about preventing drug and
prostitution-related crimes near convenience stores than it is about limiting a
type of business in Prichard. He said there are more than a dozen troubled
locations in the city where liquor sales are the primary revenue source.

"We need to get in front of the people who will be looking
to get a business license to put in off-premise beer and wine (retail) in these
communities," Ephriam said. "There are some of these stores with nothing around
them but churches and houses."

Ephriam said the temporary restriction on liquor licenses will give both the city and
Police Chief Jerry Speziale enough time to analyze what needs to be done in the
future to limit crime and other associated problems outside convenience stores.